higher modern studies 20 mark essay examples

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Structure and planning of essay

Watch this to find out how to structure the perfect essay for Higher Modern Studies (and how to climb the Matterhorn)

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There is a huge mountain that sits above the town of Zermat in Switzerland called the Matterhorn. It is breathtaking.

When most mountains in Europe had been climbed, this one stood unconquered. An international competition was launched for the first to the summit and when this challenge was finally overcome, four of the party of seven who had achieved it fell to their deaths trying to get back down.

Nowadays, about 150 climbers each year get to the top. Some routes to the summit are still regarded as impossible -completely unclimbable; but there are many different routes to choose from, some much safer than others and the route a climber selects is vital to their success.

When you are writing an essay in Modern Studies, just like climbing the Matterhorn, you have to pick the right route. Some routes are safer and will get you to the top. Some routes are more complicated and can lead to trouble.

I want to tell you about the route I use when teaching essays to my class, one that can help you get to the top.

This is thinkfour.

There are two types of essay; I call the 12 mark essays an extended response, because they don’t have an introduction or conclusion, and are more like a long Nat 5 answer. 20 Mark essays, though, are our Matterhorn, and you are only ready to tackle them when you have enough knowledge and training. Like an ascent up a mountain, planning is key. You can’t just start, or you’ll quickly lose your way. You need to know where you are going and that means knowing the answer to your 20 mark essay before you start. Your introduction will lay out the factors that you are going to be discussing, like a plan on the page, but it’s what you do with those factors, in each section of your essay, that really counts. With 8 knowledge marks, and 6 analysis marks up for grabs, I recommend 4 main sections to my classes, each dealing with a different factor.

Take an essay like “to what extent does social and economic inequality exist in the US?” You have a range of options with an essay like this, but you can make a strong case for four main sections focusing on income, health, education and the criminal justice system. Across these four factors you have to do a range of things. You need to make points of knowledge which answer the question, you need to delve into the detail of that and really hammer home the point that you are making. You need to back that up with some evidence, and you need to analyse how that fits with your overall answer. 40sec -1min section

This gives us a rough structure that I call PEEA, Point, Explain, Example, Analyse. For a 12 mark extended response, I would tell you to PEEA for each factor, but in a 20 mark essay it is different, you have to go further to open up the full range of marks on offer. Here, I tell pupils to PEEAPEEA, basically to come up with a second point for each factor. In an essay on inequalities you can easily do this, for example, by doing one education paragraph on high school dropouts by ethnicity, and a second on access to College. In other essays the second PEEA is the counter-argument or balance to the first, such as saying that social class has an impact on voting behaviour, but following that up with a counter-point about partisan dealignment in recent years. The one drawback with this is how long it takes to write, so I suggest that pupils use PEEAPEEA for three factors, and a simple PEEA for the last, but you can get away with two PEEAPEEAs and two simple PEEAs if you really find the clock a challenge.

So remember, whether it’s a trip up the Matterhorn in Switzerland or writing an essay in Modern Studies, planning is key. Know your route before you set off as some are difficult and will get you into difficulty whilst others are more straight forward.

Tackling a 20 mark essay isn’t the same as conquering the unconquerable, but if you follow these steps and take full marks, you’ll feel like you’re on the top of the world.

This was thinkfour, thanks for watching.

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STA Higher Modern Studies

Higher modern studies, usa model essays.

See blow for model essays on various USA sub-topics:

USA Influence – USA Influence Model Essay

USA influence 2 – USA-Influence-Model-Essay

Rights and Responsibilities 12 mark analyse paragraph – Rights and Responsibilities USA Essay

Political progress minorities essay paragraph – Progress for Minorities Essay

Participation Essay paragraph – Participation Voting Paragraph

How democratic paragraph – How democratic paragraph Feb 2018

Government responses to social and economic inequalities, Affirmative Action paragraph – Government Responses to S and E inequalities model para AA

Checks on Government Model Essay – Checks on Government Model Essay

Analyse Paragraph – Social and Economic Inequalities – Analyse – Social and Inequalities Model Essay

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Higher Modern Studies 20 Mark Essays Learning Intentions

Higher Modern Studies: 20 Mark Essays

Learning Intentions • By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: – Identify accurately the elements of a successful 20 mark essay – Explain the difference between analysis and evaluation, referring to examples of each – Evaluate a complex socio-economic or political issue by drawing conclusions • To demonstrate this, you will: – Write a balanced introduction for a model essay – Write a paragraph which features a detailed point, analysis mark, exemplification and evaluative comment – Write a conclusion which includes at least one of the key evaluative skills

The 20 Mark Essay • There will be one of these in your exam • It can appear in any topic area – 8 marks for Knowledge & Understanding – 6 marks for Analysis & Evaluation – 4 marks for Conclusions – 2 marks for Structure

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks Range of relevant knowledge Accurate, relevant, up-to-date One relevant aspect of the issue given, with some description Two relevant aspects of the issue given, with some description or one relevant aspect covered, with detailed and accurate description One relevant aspect of the issue with detailed and accurate description and one relevant aspect with some description At least two relevant aspects with detailed and accurate descriptions — these should include the key aspects of the issue Quality of explanation/ exemplification of knowledge Up to a maximum of 8 marks available for knowledge and understanding Some explanation of one aspect of the issue or relevant exemplification Some explanation of two relevant aspects of the issue or detailed explanation of one aspect of the question which may include relevant exemplification Detailed explanation of one relevant aspect of the issue with relevant exemplification and some explanation of one aspect of the question At least two aspects of the question, fully explained, which relate closely to the key aspects of the question and extended, relevant, accurate and up-todate exemplification One relevant and accurate analytical comment that is justified or exemplified or two different relevant and accurate analytical comments One developed relevant and accurate analytical comment that is justified and exemplified: this should relate closely to a key aspect of the question One extended, accurate and justified analytical comment of an insightful nature which relates closely to the key aspects of the question and is exemplified Analysis One relevant and Comments that accurate analytical identify relationships/ comment implications, explore different views or establish consequences/ implications Up to 6 marks* 4 marks 5 -6 marks At least two developed relevant and accurate analytical comments that are justified and exemplified. These should relate closely to the question and may be linked for 6 marks

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 -6 marks Structure which develops a consistent and clear line of argument Up to 2 marks Clear structure that addresses the issue identified in the question Structure that clarifies the issue, presents evidence and develops a clear and consistent line of argument Conclusions Evaluative comments which make a judgement(s) and or reach a conclusion(s) which address the key issues in the question Up to 4 marks* One conclusion that addresses a key issue in the question One extended and balanced conclusion that addresses a key issue in the question or two conclusions that address key issues in the question One extended and balanced insightful conclusion that is justified and directly addresses the central aspects of the question and which considers a range of viewpoints One extended and balanced conclusion that is justified and directly addresses the key issue(s) in the question or two balanced conclusions that address the key issues in the question, one of which is extended

What Do the Essay Questions Look Like? • There are two possible question stems • What do each of the following question stems mean? What are they asking you to do? • To what extent • Discuss • To help us work this out, think about them in a non-course related context…

To what extent is Heart of Midlothian the greatest football club in Scotland?

To what extent is Adam C’s handwriting the most stressful part of Mr Thomson’s job?

Volkswagen Golfs are the best small car on the market. Discuss.

The mobile phone the most important tool in Marta’s social life. Discuss.

To what extent is Mr Thomson’s blog the most effective factor in improving pupil performance in Modern Studies?

Question Stems • The stems don’t radically alter how you will answer the question, but you have to focus on them and make sure you engage clearly with what the examiner is looking for – To what extent = How much is… – Discuss = Evaluate the arguments in favour and in opposition to the statement. • You have to answer the question that you are asked, or you will fail the question!

Structure • To gain your 2 marks for structure, you must follow a logical and coherent line of argument • The best way to set out your essay in order to achieve this is by following this structure: – Introduction – 4 balanced points/paragraphs – Conclusion

Introduction • The intro should perform 3 key jobs: 1. Introduce the topic 2. Show you understand what the question is asking you and what you need to do to answer it 3. Give a basic, balanced response to the question

Model Intro • Is this a good intro for an imaginary question, “To what extent is Nando’s the best place to eat in Silverburn shopping centre”? • “In Silverburn, Nando’s is a popular place to eat. In this essay, I will discuss whether it is a good place to eat and to what extent it is the best. ”

This is a Weak Intro • WHY? • Written in first person • Doesn’t show any real understanding of the question • Doesn’t give a response to the question • Simplistic introductory comment • No indication of how the question will be tackled

Model Intro 2 • “Silverburn shopping centre in the Southside of Glasgow is home to more than a dozen outlets offering a dining experience for the thousands of shoppers who visit each day. Some argue that Nando’s provides the highest quality food thanks to its range of piri dressings; however, competitors such as Wagamama, Pizza Hut and La Tasca are very popular and also must be considered. Overall, whether Nando’s is the best place to eat in Silverburn is highly dependent on the individual preferences of the customer. ”

This is Much Stronger • It: – Gives some KU about the topic in the opening sentence to provide clear context – Acknowledges a range of factors to be discussed – Engages with what the question asks and shows a clear understanding of how to answer it – Answers the question with balanced analysis

Activity • Create your own introduction for this essay, using the model to help you (not to copy from!) • Peer assess to check you are on the right track – does your partner’s essay follow the structure? Does it include the right level of detail? • Give them a key target to work on for next time • Also give them something they did well • Write this in their jotter so they don’t forget

Main Body • Each paragraph should follow the PEEA-L structure: • • Point Expand Example Analysis • • Counter Point Expand Example Analysis • Link back to the question and evaluate (mini conclusion)

Model PEE • Nando’s is a high quality dining experience in Silverburn as it offers customers wide choice and customisation of their meals. • Whilst many of Silverburn’s restaurants offer only a set menu, Nando’s have a range of high quality piri dressings which allow customers to make their own choice as to how spicy their chicken is. Furthermore, the customer can refill their soft drink as often as they like, giving them a less restricted choice of what they drink with their meal. Therefore, the dining experience is enhanced. • For example, in July 2013, Mr Thomson visited the Edinburgh Fountainpark branch of Nando’s, choosing to add extra hot piri sauce to his first half wrap, and lemon and herb sauce to the second. • Market research has shown that restaurant customers view this kind of choice as a particularly important factor in deciding where to eat; in fact, only quality of food was rated higher. This is likely to give Nando’s the edge over Wagamama, which only has a set menu to choose from.

Model PEEL • • • However, it could be argued that Nando’s is poor value for money when compared with its competitors. A regular complaint from customers is that the price of a meal in Nando’s is excessive for the quality of food served. This affects the customer’s enjoyment of their meal as they feel they could have saved money and eaten a similar standard of meal elsewhere in Silverburn. For example, a double chicken pitta with one side costs £ 10. 60 in Nando’s, whereas a chicken and chorizo paella in La Tasca costs only £ 8. 85. This is a huge difference in cost, and may heavily influence many people’s decision over whether to eat at Nando’s – for those on a budget, it could be the most important factor. Clearly, although there is plenty of choice in Nando’s, the customer pays extra for the privilege and doesn’t gain very good value for money as a result. Whilst this isn’t a problem for customers who are willing to pay extra, some diners may prefer a cheaper option, such as Pizza Hut.

Activity • Complete a balanced paragraph like the on the previous two slides • Peer assess with a different partner this time to gain a wider range of feedback from the class

Conclusion • Should not just be a summary or a repeat of everything you have said • It should be an evaluative comment which concludes your essay with a balanced response to the question • Making recommendations, or predictions based on the evidence you have presented is one good way to approach this • You should always ensure that you acknowledge the alternative viewpoints • If you have made mini conclusions throughout your essay, this will be easier

Conclusion Structure • Give your answer to the question summarise the key arguments that have convinced you • Show balance – acknowledge the alternative point of view • Evaluate – put a quantitative value on your answer e. g. “to a large extent” • Make an interesting final concluding comment, such as a recommendation or prediction

Activity • Write your own conclusion to this essay and self assess your work this time, using the model conclusion on the next page to help you • Make any required corrections, as you will be peer marked once you have completed this section

Model Conclusion • Overall, although Nando’s can be considered the best restaurant to a large extent by customers for whom table service and budget are not important factors, others prefer the more formal dining experience of La Tasca or the value for money of Wagamama. Whether Nando’s is the best restaurant in Silverburn is highly dependent on the tastes and preferences of the individual. Perhaps the youthful clientele it attracts suggests it appeals to a particularly young demographic more than the other choices available; however, Nando’s will need to do more to appeal to the older generations in the years to come.

Peer Marking • Using the marking instructions you have been given, peer assess your partner’s model essay • Make sure you note on where each mark has been gained – do this in the margin • Give feedback, both positive and things to work on, so that you both have a target for your first Modern Studies themed essay question

• Past Papers
• National Qualifications  >  Subjects  >  Modern Studies  >  Higher  > Higher Modern Studies

Higher Modern Studies

Alternative certification model.

The alternative certification model is how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted this year, following the cancellation of the 2021 exams. It involves five different stages.

View the alternative certification model and see what will happen at each stage.

Essential Information

Course specification ( 20/12/2023 ).

Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.

• Higher Modern Studies Course Specification (Gaelic translation) December 2023
• Higher Modern Studies Course Specification July 2019

Past Papers and Marking Instructions

Access all past papers by subject/level

Additional question papers resources

Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).

• Higher Modern Studies Specimen Question Paper 1 August 2018
• Higher Modern Studies Specimen Question Paper 1 (Gaelic Medium) June 2019
• Higher Modern Studies Specimen Question Paper 2 October 2022
• Higher Modern Studies Specimen Question Paper 2 (Gaelic Medium) June 2019

There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21

• Higher Modern Studies Question Paper 1
• Higher Modern Studies Paper 1 Marking Instructions
• Higher Modern Studies Question Paper 2  
• Higher Modern Studies Paper 2 Marking Instructions

This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.

• Coursework assessment task for Higher Modern Studies August 2019
• Research Evidence for Higher Modern Studies   July 2018
• Research Evidence for Higher Modern Studies  July 2018
• Guidance on conditions of assessment

Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

• Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)

Understanding Standards ( 27/11/2023 )

• Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Audio Presentation

Overview of course assessment 2020-2021- presentation with audio  (35.48 MB)

Overview of course assessment 2018-2019 - presentation with audio (29 minutes) (30.09 MB)

Changes to understanding standards materials

• Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects

Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

Additional Resources session 2020-22

Please note: Additional resources published during sessions 2020-2022 are currently under review. Further information can be found on the Understanding Standards Website .

Course reports ( 14/09/2023 )

Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.

Course Reports

• 2023 Higher Modern Studies Course Report  September 2023
• 2022 Higher Modern Studies Course Report  September 2022
• 2019 Higher Modern Studies Course Report  September 2019
• 2018 Higher Modern Studies Course Report  August 2018
• 2017 Higher Modern Studies Course Report  October 2017

Verification Reports

• Modern Studies Verification Key Messages Round 1 March 2017
• Modern Studies: Quality Assurance - external verification

Ushare open learning resources

Where can you take this course?

Centre Finder

Helper-buttons.

29/12/23 UPDATE: Terrorism added in National 5 section; Advanced Higher content updated; revision strategy suggestions published.

Please note: Since August 2019, we have taught 'Crime and the Law in the UK' at Higher. Therefore, this page will no longer be updated.

Social Inequality in the UK

Social Inequality in the UK is 'Part A' of Section 2 in the exam paper. You use your knowledge & understanding of socio-economic issues in the UK to answer one question. The topics studied are detailed in the Course Assessment Specification (CAS), which is outlined below. Use the contents table below to click to relevant headings.

Course Assessment Specification (CAS)

In the social inequality context, candidates focus on the impact of social inequality on any relevant group.

reasons why income and wealth inequality exists

reasons why health inequalities exist

effect of inequality on a group or groups in society

individualist and collectivist debate

effectiveness of measures taken to tackle inequalities, including government measures

PowerPoint presentation

Class resources and materials

The documents in the section below were given out in class and are intended to support your revision.

Find the Answer

Universal credit, causes of poverty, essay questions.

The questions below are common essay questions, drawn from either past papers or made up to provide examples, based on the CAS at the top of this page. The essay answers below may be completed or provide you with the skeleton necessary to create a comprehensive response in the exam. 

Collectivism-Individualism

Kindly shared by Mr Beattie at Vale of Leven Academy.

Lifestyle choices

General essay revision, government responses to health inequalities.

This part essay template looks at the success and failure of the sugar tax and minimum unit pricing to address health inequalities. The essay responds to the following question: 'Government policies have failed to reduce health inequalities. Discuss. (20 marks).'

Effectiveness of tackling social inequalities

This part essay template looks at the success and failure of the NHS and wider health services in addressing social inequalities in the UK. The essay responds to the following question: 'Evaluate the effectiveness of the health services in tackling social inequality. (12 marks).'

Theories of the welfare state

This part essay, part plan looks at the different theoretical perspectives of the welfare state. It addresses the following question: 'Health and welfare provision should be the responsibility of the government. Discuss. (20 marks).'

Paper One exam questions How to write a 12 mark essay

How to answer Paper One exam essay questions to get for Higher Modern Studies

Part of Modern Studies Exam and assignment

How to write a 12 mark essay

Like a 20 mark essay there is no need for an introduction but unlike a 20 mark it is not recommended that you write one as it takes up time – it is best to get straight into answering the question.

The main body of the essay paragraphs should be constructed the same as paragraphs for 20 mark essays.

The difference between the Evaluate and Analyse questions is that the former needs you to come to a judgement and use evaluative language . It is probably best to have an evaluative conclusion at the end to ensure you have made an evaluative judgement.

For both types of 12 mark questions three detailed paragraphs following the SEE system plus some analysis and evaluation should be enough for the twelve marks with the addition of a conclusion/evaluation at the end for the "Evaluation" questions.

More guides on this topic

• Paper Two exam questions

Related links

• BBC News: Politics
• BBC News: Business
• BBC Democracy Live
• SQA Higher Modern Studies
• Scottish Parliament
• Scottish Government